Montco Records Another New Record Low COVID Positivity Rate

NORRISTOWN, PA — Another week, another record low for the percent positivity rate on coronavirus tests in Montgomery County. The county has once again seen this key metric drop, this time to 2.24 percent, even as counties nearby see increases.

Montgomery County's rate is down by 0.12 percent from last week's 2.36 percent, which was at the time the lowest mark since the pandemic began. While percent positivty rate is just one of numerous statistics analyzed by health officials to determine the course of the virus and the strength of the healthcare system, it's often pointed to as one of the more encompassing and important measures.

The record drop in positivity rate comes as the county tested a thousand more residents last week than it did the week before, which officials say is another important signpost in the ongoing battle to suppress the virus.

"That's great," Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said in a news conference Wednesday. "That means we're doing a lot more surveillance tasting, which is what I love to see because it gives us a real window on what's going on all across our community, and gives us a really excellent chance at suppressing any outbreak that might be starting to bubble up."

In the week leading up to Oct. 2, the most recent week for which statistics were available, the county tested 25,349 people. That's up from the 24,373 tested the week before.

Increased testing has long been pointed to as something that needs to be done in order to bring numbers down.

However, authorities reiterated yet again that it was important to remain vigilant, noting that several surrounding counties have not been as fortunate in recent weeks.

"All around us are counties that are slowly rising...so I just want to sound this cautionary note," Arkoosh said.

In Montgomery County, younger age groups, particularly 34 and under, continue to be responsible for the bulk of new cases. Officials say that some of this can be traced to local colleges, but most of it continues to arise from social gatherings, K-12 schools, and sports teams.